Nexon offers some details on Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX, which is the tentative title for the upcoming online Ghost in the Shell game mentioned the other day. Word is this will be a PC MMOFPS, and they confirm plans for a release in the first half of next year in Asia, though plans to bring the game west are not mentioned:

The online game Ghost in the Shell: STAND ALONE COMPLEX (tentative), which is built upon a world view based on the original animation, was developed as a first person shooter (FPS) game featuring fierce hacking battles between cyborgs fighting over strategic resources. In addition to the dynamic gunfight action between cyborgs, the game also incorporates cyberization and various other concepts that are present in the original work. It also provides diverse contents such as cooperative battle mode, a new concept that integrates artificial intelligence with the player.

The game is developed by NEOPLE, an online game developer that had developed huge hits such as Dungeon & Fighter and Cyphers since its inception in 2001. Dungeon & Fighter, in particular, is explosively popular, boasting over 400 million members worldwide and holding a record of 3 million concurrent players in China.

As a leading company of online games, NEXON will continue to aggressively introduce popular contents that resonate with players worldwide and endeavor to revitalize the game market.

Taking the players involved into consideration, I don't see having high hopes for this title. "Fierce hacking battles between cyborgs" already has my mind saying "No" and I don't see how that aligns with it being a FPS game. Unless by "hacking" them mean literally chopping each other apart.

I'm sensing this being FPS Shadowrun v2.0 (now with more MMO electrolytes).

Can't even find footage of Cyphers. But NeoPLE is definitely 100% unable to make a decent cyberpunk fps game. Nor a decent mmo.

God, this is the worst news this year I read so far. I am a huge GITS fan, but this travesty is an affront. South Korean MMO developer of all things. Whatever, I will ignore this game. Better to not think of it ever again... ever...